midterm reflection

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Navigating Literacy

“Perhaps instead of thinking of identity as an already accomplished fact, which the new cultural practices then represent, we should think, instead, of identity as a 'production', which is never complete, always in process, and always constituted within, not outside, representation.” (Stuart Hall)

On course to reach a destination of self-determination despite challenging conditions of negotiation, navigation, and creation. My mid term reflection uses navigational terminology of indigenous Pacific Islanders or Oceanic Peoples. In their works, “Native Pacific Cultural Studies On the Edge”, Dr.Vince Diaz at the University of Michigan and Dr. J. Kehaulani Kauanui discuss ideology of the Pacific from a Native Studies perspective through indigenous navigational methodology. This essay attempts to juxtapose such a theoretical ideology with an indigenous research framework developed by Dr. Linda Tuhiwai-Smith, in the book, “Decolonizing Methodologies: Research & Indigenous Peoples”. In order to meet the theorized neo-colonial standards of graduate school pedagogy of reading and literacy, this reflection represents a space for the indigenous academic voice to apply critical thinking synthesis within the cultural imperialistic higher education academy of the West, dominating indigenous students of the Pacific. Specifically, this reflection discusses professional disposition, regular and active class attendance, particpation in online forums, preparation and participation, timely submission of all work; competency in course standards; and the ability of the higher education student to work well as a team member in class activities.
As a student of scholarly applications of indigeneous epistemological theory; Tuhiwai-Smtih’s Agenda for Indigenous Research framework best describes the impact of personal and professional disposition, regular and active class attendance, participation in online forums, preparation and participation, and timely submission of all work. In such a framework, Tuhiwai-Smith suggests a new agenda forwarding the social movement of indigenous peoples through international mobilization (p.117). In applying a preliminary comprehension of said theory, developing one’s sense of self remains a critical point of self determination in the context of learning literacy towards a professional disposition. While mobilization of the local requires one to show up academically for regular active class attendance. Perhaps the transformation of social and psychological factors influence participation in online forums; taking away the face to face preference of indigenous communication toward meaningful contact. Such stratospheres of engagement demand a student to develop, recover, and survive through involvement preparation and participation. Thus, the decolonization of the self comes priority with the actualization of specific expected results and goals; in this case, timely submission of work. Applying Tuhiwai-Smith’s concept of Negotiation as a method to train indigenous researchers; providing a context for insider and outsider research (p.137), negotiation, for survival remains a fundamental communication style of Oceanic peoples. In this case a self-assessment of personal competency in course standards, said student remains fixed on a destination of long term survival for success, despite the conditions beyond control of his.
How then do we begin to understand the navigation of such situation? To do so, we draw on the work of Diaz & Kauanui. In “On The Move: Native Pacific Cultural Studies On The Edge”, the indigenous Native authors describe methodology of triangulation; through the metaphorical use of sea, heaven, and island as a Native-style of analysis and rhythm of politics from an indigenous Pacific Islander perspective. Using literacy as a formative cultural production, we have the power through long term strategic thought and action, to create alternative knowledge product through new media applications (White & Tengon). Thus the importance for Native Master-Teacher students of higher education to master the realm of literacy, through technology for the perpetuation of our indigenous values; to avoid curriculum and instructional bias of outsider values over our own. Such pedagogy requires space in the higher academic institutions responsible for influencing educational reforms for public school teachers, administrators, and politicians; before the methods reach student, home, and school.
Through creation, said student develops an ability to work well as a team member in class activities. Creation, as an indigenous project, means creating solutions according to Tuhiwai-Smith (p.158). As a Native student adapts to think around problems, we solve them with the help of our Creator. Such a development of intra-personal strength reinforces the importance to create faith inside the group. Although groups contain individuals of varying skills, abilities, and beliefs; the common-ness of faith in self, eachother, and the group as a whole drives success towards reaching a pre-determined goal (Carey, 1989).

On course to reach a destination of self-determination despite challenging conditions of negotiation, navigation, and creation. Stuart Hall suggests representation of identity remains an evolutionary process determined by self. Building on this premise, this essay attempts to apply the works of Tuhiwai-Smith synthesizing with Diaz & Kauanui; as mid term reflection of said student’s progress towards meeting course requirements of Middle/Secondary Reading & Writing in the Content Area of Language Arts. Through the inspiration of such Native Studying of Native Studies; we come closer to projecting an indigenous voice, where our space seems to fail. The recognition of this unique responsibility rests with more of us-working together on the inside to navigate literacy and meaning; defining our own identity, in our space, with our voice.

References

“Decolonizing Methodologies: Research & Indigenous Peoples”; Linda Tuhiwai-Smith, 1999

“On the Move: Native Pacific Cultural Studies On The Edge”, Diaz & Kauanui; The Contemporary Pacific, Vol. 13, #2, Fall ‘01; pp. 315-341; 2001; UH Press.

White & Tengon in “On the Move: Native Pacific Cultural Studies On The Edge”, Diaz & Kauanui; The Contemporary Pacific, Vol. 13, #2, Fall ‘01; pp. 315-341; 2001; UH Press.

Carey, James W. (1989), Communication as Culture;: Essays on Media and Society. Londong: Unwin Hyman; in “The Sociology of Mediation and Communication”, Roger Silverstone, p.194; “The Sage Handbook of Sociology”; 2005.

“Cultural Identity and Diaspora”, Hall, Stuart, p.222; Framework, No.36; Pines, Jim.